Matthew Fitzpatrick shares the lead with Webb Simpson after the first round in Florida ©Getty Images

England's Matthew Fitzpatrick and American Webb Simpson are the joint leaders after the first round of the World Golf Championships (WGC)-Workday Championship in Florida.

Fitzpatrick and Simpson are tied for top spot on six under par following the opening day's play at Concession Golf Club.

The pair are a shot clear of Brooks Koepka of the United States, Spain's Sergio Garcia and American Billy Horschel.

Defending champion Patrick Reed is among a group of players who are a stroke further adrift on four under.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, aiming to complete a full set of WGC titles, carded a three-under-par 69.

Rory McIlroy is three shots behind the leading pair as he bids to complete his set of WGC titles ©Getty Images
Rory McIlroy is three shots behind the leading pair as he bids to complete his set of WGC titles ©Getty Images

"Of course it's frustrating because you come off the course thinking you could be three or four shots lower than you were, but I've just got to keep putting the work in and hopefully it finds its way in there," McIlroy, a four-time major winner, told Sky Sports.

"I holed some good putts out there, it's not that I didn't hole anything, it's just that I missed a few."

The event had been scheduled to take place at the Chapultepec Golf Club in Mexico City before it was moved to Florida because of "logistical challenges" caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The competition is the first WGC event of the season.